Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) should have been part of the problem. As nephew of a Medici Pope who made him a Cardinal at 22 years of age, Borromeo could have become just another corrupt Renaissance Bishop. Instead he became the driving force of reform within the Catholic Church in the wake of the Council of Trent following the Protestant Reformation and the primary reason Trent's dramatic reforms were successful. His remarkable accomplishments in Milan as Archbishop became the model of reform for the rest of Western Europe. Change is never easy, but St. Charles' approach - deeply biblical, personal, practical and centered on Christ - offers a road map of reform, even for today. Now for the first time in over 400 years a significant selection of his works appears in the English language. Chapter One offers three orations that St Charles gave as Archbishop of Milan to the other Bishops. These texts were among those that Pope Paul VI sent out to the Bishops of the world in 1963 during Vatican II. These orations reveal Borromeo's foundational ideas of reform. Chapter Two contains a selection of homilies on the Eucharist, which for St. Charles was crucial for authentic and lasting reform. Chapter Three treats of the reform of the clergy, the reform for which Borromeo is most known and on which he spent most of his efforts. Recurrent Borromean themes to his priests are the greatness of the priestly vocation and the consequent necessity to live that call with integrity through humility, prayer and self-sacrifice. Chapter Four presents St. Charles' efforts at mobilizing the laity in their own reform of imbuing the secular world with holiness in the workplace and within the family. This translation is intended to be faithful to Borromeo's Latin or Italian texts rendered into contemporary English and is currently the largest collection of primary source material of his works in English. Cihak and Santogrossi have managed to bring alive one of the great figures of the Counter-Reformation. Borromeo is generally known for being a patron of the Arts and a defender of polyphonic chant, but this collection of homilies, speeches and occasional writings showcases the full breadth of Borromeo's genius. This collection will be inspirational for priests, bishops, seminarians and anyone else interested in the topic of how one saint overcame a culture of clerical decadence and turned a sinking Barque of Peter around and got it floating again. In a radically egalitarian world, it also showcases the value of one aristocratic leader with his heart in the right place. - Tracey Rowland , John Paul II Institute, Australia There may be only one instance of Papal nepotism within the history of the Church that actually served the good of the Church - Pope Paul IV appointing his non-ordained newphew Charles Borromeo a Cardinal at the age of 22. This book demonstrates why this is true. Fr John Cihak, editor, and Br Ansgar Santogrossi, OSB, translator, have provided for the English speaking Church, long overdue, an excellent selection of St Charles' Orations, homilies and writings that bear witness to his reputation as an ardent reformer, inspiring preacher and practical administrator. In so doing, Charles emerges not only as an exemplary bishop, but more importantly as a beloved Saint. Today's seminarians, priests and bishops, as well as the Catholic laity at large, who desire to further reform the Church in our time to make it vibrant and saintly, will find in this marvelous book St Charles' wisdom, courage and inspiration to help them do so. - Thomas G. Weinandy , OFM, Cap, Capuchin College, USA The great bishop of Catholic reform appears here in new light. Many know only Borromeo's demanding ordinances of regular and attentive pastoral practice and of disciplined lay life. But these texts show him renewing the deteriorated church of Milan by setting forth attractive motives for pastors to lead by example and nourish their people by word and sacrament. Borromeo offers high ideals of life and service, drawing on Scripture, the saints and daily life to encourage all to walk resolutely in the way of Christ. - Jared Wicks , S.J, Gregorian University, Italy To have the words of this great Bishop, Saint and Reformer resound in the English language is a wonderful contribution. This book will be a marvelous resource for clergy, scholars and anyone who seeks to live a more authentic life in Christ. - Cardinal Marc Ouellet , Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops This is a timely and important book. St Charles Borromeo's practical wisdom about following Jesus can inspire and guide our ongoing efforts at renewal within ourselves and the Church today. - Alexander K. Sample , Archbishop of Portland, USA John R. Cihak  is an Official of the Congregation for Bishops and a Papal Master of Ceremonies at the Vatican. A priest of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, USA, he studied philosophy at the University of Notre Dame and obtained